I had been in Detriot for a few weeks now, electing to stay home when James had gone to Chicago for a game. I wasnt ready to face Jonathan or Corey yet, even though I really had wanted to see Maisey, Drew, and most of all, I had wanted to see Antti. He had become like an older brother to me.
When I saw the game, I knew that Corey would be down but I had not expected that I would affect his game at all. And I was right, at least the against the Red Wings, whom he shutout easily. He said he had done it for me, that he wanted me to come home and that he was working his ass off so that maybe I would come back. But little did he know that I had just planned on staying here. I didnt want to face him. I was still really mad at Jon, and just needed to stay here.
"Corey, that was a great game, congradulations on the shutout!" I heard Steve Konroyd say, as I got a snack in the kitchen.
"Yeah, I just wanted to play well, and hope to keep my team in the game," I heard an all too familiar voice, as I came back into the living room, seeing Corey's face turn to look right into the camera, sadly. "I wanted to play well, for Chels..." He looked back at Steve for a moment and added, "I have to go now, thanks for the interview."
I sighed, I wanted to go back to Chicago, and be held in those strong arms of Corey's but I couldnt go back until I knew that he and Jon could at least stand to be on the ice with each other.
~~~
"Meredith!" Jimmy came in, yelling.
"Yeah Jim?" I came up to him, seeing him on the phone, and feeling my eyes widen as he handed the phone to me.
"Mer, I would just like to say that I told you not to get involved with those Chicago boys again," Jim whispered. I glared at him as i took the phone and walked away, preparing to speak to a "chicago boy."
"Hello?" I said quietly as i entered my old room at Jims, filled with various posters of my hockey idols growing up, my eyes settling on a signed Toews one in the corner. He had signed it the first game he had in Detriot, after he was drafted in 2006.
"Chevelle?" I could hear the tears in his voice, and see the look of relief washing over him. The Canadian weirdo didnt think I would pick up.
My eyes immeditaly fell, I realized though that he couldnt see that, since we were on the phone. "Hello Corey."
"I lost tonight, after that great shutout in my last game, and i just wanted to hear your voice."
I remained silent, trying not to cry.
"Anything Chevelle, say anything. I miss you and I need to hear you." I heard the dinging of his truck as he got in, growing impatient.
I swallowed, gaining my composure. "My name is Meredith," i started softly, "I changed it to Chevelle when I moved to Chicago," I sighed.
"So then whats your full name? who even are you?" He asked, and I could hear Keith Urban in the background of his truck.
I took a deep breath again before responding, debating telling him to ask Jonny. "Meredith Howard, I am the little sister of Jimmy Howard."
"Thats a beautiful name, I see why you changed it, but how did you meet Jon? He grew up in Winnipeg, and then got drafted to the Hawks. It doesnt make sense to me." Corey asked the question I had dreaded answering.
"Corey, I dunno if this is the time to talk about this, I mean-" I started, and then I heard the door open, and the line go dead.
"Corey?" I asked into the phone.
"I'm right here baby girl. I love you, and I needed to see you." I heard from behind me. I turned around to find Corey standing there in a white dress shirt and a cute pastel green and paisley bow tie around his neck. I knew that this was his was his lucky outfit for game day. I also saw Jim behind him, smiling back at me.
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"Corey?" I asked again, whispering before getting up and walking towards him. I let him engulf me in a hug, and took in his scent. I missed him, a lot, whether I was willing to admit that or not. "Corey." I sighed
"Shh. It's okay Chevelle. I'm here."
"Corey, I love you. And I am so sorry. I shouldnt have up and left. I owed you an explanation. I owe you a lot Corey. I owe you everything... especially an explanation about Jon." I started.
"Chevelle, you don't have to tell me anything that you don't want to," Corey told me.
I looked over at Jim, who nodded and then walked away. I needed to tell him.
"Jon and I met in 2005, he came for a Griffins game with Andree, his mother and Bryan, his father. I had gone with Jim, to see Jim rather. Jon and I just hit it off and kept touch. I was there when he got drafted, and that's when he kissed me for the first time. Jonathan and I just really hit it off, enough that I moved to Chicago, and didn't tell James, so I changed my name so he wouldn't find me. Jon coined my nickname, Chelsea, because it was because of him that I became the biggest Hawks fan. I thought Jonathan was the love of my life. I thought that I was gonna marry him. Until 2010 when the Hawks won the Cup. I had lived with him for almost two years at that point. Anyways, he came home to me one night drunker than a skunk. I don't remember what I said to him, I think i asked him to sleep on the couch, when he backhanded me across the face." I could feel myself tearing up as I explained this to Corey. "I grabbed my phone and my purse and ran. I actually went to Winnipeg for a while, and stayed with Bryan and Andree, they kept that from Jon and got me out the house when Jon came to find me, claiming they had no idea where I was and that Jon sure as hell better find me. I moved to San Fran for a year before I realized that I hated living anywhere but Chicago. So I came back and resided there. I didnt go to another hockey game until the Stanley Cup Finals. I know I was the one who messed you up, on that overtime Lucic shot. And then you ran into me and mais. I didnt really want anything to do with you, even if you had become my favorite player. I didnt want anything to do with any of the hockey boys again, especially the Hawks. And then Maisey kinda blew my cover. And you and Jon got into the fight so I ran again"
"Oh Chevel-"
"Chelsea. Call me Chelsea." I said, finally letting the goalie use my nickname, hoping he would understand.
A/N
Sorry this update took so long. I had such bad writers block and i have been super busy, hopw to get more out soon. and wow, this book is actually coming to a close. i think only a couple (like 3 or 4) more chapters. would you guys want a sequel?
